He was, however, a very affectionate son, and was delighted to find himself at home again, and full of curiosity as to the new-comers at Cleverley Hall. "Are they as charming as they appeared at first sight?" he asked. "My dear boy," said the Rector in a confidential tone, "they are very charming. But I'm sorry for the little girl. There's something ideal about her. But it's a bad stock, Syl, a bad stock!" "So I've always heard," said Sylvester, slightly amused at his father's tone of reluctant admiration. "But what's amiss with them? We're to dine there to-night, I believe?" "Yes," said the Rector, "and we shall have a very pleasant evening. You see, my dear boy, the ladies here are rather pleased with Lady Haredale. They were prejudiced--very much prejudiced against her. Now they say she is much nicer and quieter than they expected, and they believe that the reports about her are exaggerated. But they don't see that she is so handsome. The fact is, you know, Syl," and here Mr Riddell paused in his walk and spoke in confidential accents, "that she belongs to another order of women altogether--to the fascinating women of history, and her beauty is a fact quite beyond discussion. But she's not a good woman, Sylvester, and never will be." "The fascinating women of history," said Sylvester--"Cleopatra, and others, were perhaps a little deficient in moral backbone. But I'm sure, father, Lady Haredale must be a charming hostess. I quite look forward to the party to-night. So she outshines her daughter, I suppose." "My dear boy," said Mr Riddell, "there's something about that little girl that goes to one's heart. What is to become of her?" "But what is it that is so dangerous about Lady Haredale?" said Sylvester. "She doesn't appear to offend the proprieties." "She has no principle, Syl--not a stiver," said the Rector, "and I like the look of none of their friends. So, my dear boy, I wouldn't advise you to get drawn into the set too much. They're very sociable and hospitable. Young Leigh seems a good deal attracted." "Old Lucy? Really? Has he succumbed to the historical type of fascination? The young lady must be charming indeed. But, father, I am immensely interested. I must study these historical ladies--at a distance, of course. But there's Aunt Meg. I must go and ask her how the parish is getting on." Miss Riddell, who represented the practical element in the household and family, honestly said that she liked gossip. Sylvester called it studying life. In both, it was really kindly interest in old friends and neighbours.